News Releases

Jul062010

(WASHINGTON,
D.C.) –Today, Congressman Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Senator Patty Murray
(D-WA) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Department of Energy (DOE)
Secretary Steven Chu urging the Administration to immediately halt all actions
to dismantle operations at Yucca Mountain at least until legal action regarding
the withdrawal of the application is resolved. Click here
to read a copy of the letter signed by 91 Members of Congress.

“We
are deeply disappointed that the Department has overstepped its bounds and has
ignored congressional intent without peer review or proper scientific
documentation in its actions regarding Yucca Mountain,” the lawmakers noted
in the letter.

In
1987, Congress designated Yucca Mountain as the nation’s geological repository
for spent nuclear fuel and high level defense waste. Congress has voted to
reaffirm this decision several times.

On
March 3, 2010, DOE filed a motion with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to
withdraw its license application for Yucca Mountain. On June 29, 2010,
the NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board denied DOE’s motion, stating that
DOE did not have the authority to unilaterally act to terminate its license
application.

Earlier
this year, the State of Washington, the State of South Carolina, and Tri-Cities
community leaders filed suit in the D.C. Circuit Court challenging DOE’s
ability to withdraw the Yucca Mountain license application. On June 15,
2010 the Court issued an order setting an expedited schedule for oral
arguments, to be held September 23rd, demonstrating a clear desire
to hear the merits of the case.

In
the letter the lawmakers asked that DOE “recognize the letter and spirit of the
law, honor the timeline set by the court and halt all efforts to reprogram
funds and terminate contracts located at Yucca Mountain.”